16

Sep

Widespread Protests Over Demolition of  Muslim Leader’s House

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Anwarulhaq Baig

New Delhi | Monday | 16 September 2024

The demolition of a Muslim leader's palatial bungalow in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, and community leaders. The incident has been likened to an "Israeli practice" aimed at terrorising Muslims, and many have called for the Supreme Court to intervene to restore the rule of law and ensure justice.

On August 21 last authorities in Chhatarpur demolished the residence of Shahzad Ali, a local Muslim leader, using a bulldozer. The action came in the wake of a clash between protesters and police outside the local Kotwali police station. The protesters, numbering around 500, were demanding that an FIR be filed against a religious leader who had allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammad and Islam.

The demolition of Ali's residence, valued at around Rs 10 crore, has been widely condemned. Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Asaduddin Owaisi, have criticized the action, calling it "unacceptable" and "inhumane." Owaisi described the incident as an act of brutality and injustice, accusing the BJP-led state government of state-sponsored communalism.

Many have raised questions about the legality of the demolition, pointing out that the house was legally permitted and that due process was not followed. Ali himself questioned how electricity and water connections were provided to an "illegal construction" and how the government could allow such a construction to continue for years.

 

Article at a Glance
A recent incident in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, human rights defenders, and community leaders. On August 21, authorities demolished the residence of Shahzad Ali, a local Muslim leader, using a bulldozer. The action followed a clash between protesters and police outside the local Kotwali police station, where protesters demanded an FIR be filed against a religious leader who allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammad and Islam.
The demolition of Ali's residence, valued at Rs 10 crore, has been widely criticized as "unacceptable" and "inhumane." Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Asaduddin Owaisi, have accused the BJP-led state government of state-sponsored communalism. Many have raised questions about the legality of the demolition, pointing out that the house was legally permitted and due process was not followed.
The incident has reignited debates about due process, minority rights, and the balance of power between the executive and judiciary in India's democratic system. It has also raised concerns about the impact of such actions on families and communities. The Supreme Court's intervention is essential to restore the rule of law and ensure justice for all citizens.

 

Civil society leaders, including journalists, academics, and activists, have also spoken out against the incident. Senior journalist Vir Sanghvi asked whether the Supreme Court would take a stand against the "principle of Bulldozer Injustice," while Prof. Apoorvanand Jha emphasized the need for courts to wake up and restrain state authorities. Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, president of the All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat, asked which law of the land allows for the one-sided terrorizing of one community.

Several individuals have made demands for justice in the matter. Samiullah Khan outlined three demands: reconstruction of the demolished house at the expense of the Chief Minister, compensation for damaged vehicles by the collector who signed the demolition order, and suspension and arrest of the police officer who made detained individuals chant slogans.

The incident has reignited debates about due process, minority rights, and the balance of power between the executive and judiciary in India's democratic system. It has also raised concerns about the impact of such actions on families and communities. As Dharmesh Dixit pointed out, demolishing someone's home as a form of punishment affects not only the accused but also their family members, including innocent children and other dependents who have no direct involvement in the alleged offense.

The demolition of Shahzad Ali's residence has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The incident has raised important questions about the rule of law, due process, and minority rights in India. As the country grapples with these issues, it is essential that the Supreme Court intervenes to restore the rule of law and ensure justice for all citizens.

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